Russka

The Novel of Russia

"Impressive." THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD Spanning 1800 years of Russia's history, people, poltics, and culture, Edward Rurtherford, author of the phenomenally successful SARUM: THE NOVEL OF ENGLAND, tells a grand saga that is as multifaceted as Russia itself. Here is a story of a great civilization made human, played out through the lives of four families who are divided by ethnicity but united in shaping the destiny of their land. "Rutherford's RUSSKA succeeds....[He] can take his place among an elite cadre of chroniclers such as Harold Lamb, Maurice Hindus and Henri Troyat." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE From the Paperback edition.

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Russka --- by. --- Edward Rutherfurd.
This sure is one heck of a big book: a boat anchor in fact. It had been a long time since I'd last read one of Rutherford's creation to the end-of-days novels, But the summer promised to be hot and the beach long, the days endless, and what the heck.
Well, guess what, by the time I got to page 370, about halfway through the novel, I just could'nt read any more.
Sure, it's a good story, and well written, but I got the impression I was just reading more of the same old same old. The perseverance just wasn't there: I'd had my fill. Close the book and send it back. Bye bye Russka..

What an incredible journey into the history of Russia! The unbelievable tyranny of the Tsars, and those who did their bidding. Over so many centuries, the slaves/serfs labored without concern for their health or education by the rulers. They existed only to till the soil and be used as cannon fodder in their many wars. It would take many pages to identify the horrific injustices done to the Russian people. Despite the Revolution that occurred in the early 20th Century, they were still enslaved by the Communist party. Their history is too complex to try to explain it herein and I am unable to define it with sufficient knowledge. The story ends at the end of the 20th Century. However, if one can dare to look forward, the same oppression still exists at the hands of Putin: corruption at the highest levels, sanctions/prison for those who offend the ruling class, and ultimately a mirror reflecting previous tyrants. There still exists no real democracy in Russia.
This book should be read by those who are brave enough to attempt to understand tyranny and its devastating results.
Although there is fiction in this novel, the underlying history that the author offers can only open the world to the tragedy that is the story of Russia.

Well researched and well written. Lots of interesting historical, cultural details about this intriguing country and its people. The narrative spans 2,000 years and features a series of linked, interesting stories of the areas inhabitants from biblical times to Perostroika.